Description
Chicken Parmesan with Marinara is a crispy, golden breaded chicken dish topped with rich homemade tomato sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This comforting Italian-inspired classic delivers the perfect balance of crunchy texture, savory marinara, and gooey cheese. Ideal for family dinners or special gatherings, this easy homemade recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 600 g), sliced in half horizontally
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup olive oil (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sauce)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (for sauce)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan.
- Dredge each chicken piece in flour, dip into egg, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat ½ cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place fried chicken in a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
Pound the chicken lightly for even cooking. For a lighter version, bake the breaded chicken at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes instead of frying. Prepare the marinara sauce a day ahead for deeper flavor. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken piece with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg